Combination step-ladder and bench.



0. GOETTER. COMBINATION STEP LADDER AND BENCH.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 21. 1908.

Patented Dec. 22, 1908.

Zia/012,1 0); ymflqs 606 1161 CHARLES GOETTER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COMBIN ATION STEP-LADDER AND BENCH.

Application filed April 21, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES GOETTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combination Step-Ladder l and Bench, of which the following is a spoolfication.

My invention relates to a combined stepladder and bench, and the object of my invention, is to provide a combination device as mentioned, which may be readily and quickly converted from one to the other.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device as mentioned, which shall be of simple construction, easy to operate, and of neat appearance.

A further object of my invention, is to provide a combined step-ladder and bench in which the back brace of the ladder will constitute the bench portion and so constructed that the side members of the ladder portion shall support the bench when so arranged, portions of the ladder part being extended to form the legs.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

\ Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device arranged as a ladder, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device arranged as a washbench.

The ladder portion comprises a air of side members or standards, and a p urality of ste s, the top and bottom step and the centra step being rigidly fixed to or between the standards, and the intermediate steps being fixed to short or auxiliary side members pivotally mounted between the standards near the upper and lower ends thereof.

W hen the device is to be used as a bench, the auxiliary side members which are braced by their respective steps, are swung outwardly to form the legs, the top and bottom steps forming stops to limit their outward swing. Pivotally or hingedly connected, to the standards of the ladder portion is the back brace of the ladder which forms the horizontal portion of the bench when the device is arranged to be used as such. 'I he back brace comprises a pair of back brace standards of substantially the same length as the standards of the ladder portion and connect- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 22, 1908.

Serial No. 428,431.

ed by a plurality of flat, transverse members, which rest upon the standards of the ladder portion when arranged as a bench Referring now to the drawings, 1-1 indi cate the side members or standards of the ladder portion, rigidly connected at the top and bottom by the upper and lower steps 2 and 3 respectively.

4 indicates the central step which is fixed between the standards 1 and preferably upon the blocks 5-5 secured to the inner faces of the members 1.

The intermediate upper steps 66 and intermediate lower steps 77 are fixed between short auxiliary side members 8-8 and 9-9 respectively. The members 8 and 9 are pivotally connected as at 10 and 11 between the members 1, the connection 10 be ing adjacent to the step 2 and the connection 11 being adjacent to the step 3. The upper and lower ends of the blocks 5 are cut at an angle forming the angularly disposed shoulders 12 and 13 against which, the free ends of the members 8 and 9 abut when the device is arranged as a ladder, said shoulders forming stops to hold the intermediate steps of the ladder in position, all weight on the steps tending to hold the members 8 and 9 more firmly against the stops or shoulders.

The back brace of the ladder comprises a pair of standards 1414 which are substantially the same length as the members 1, and a plurality of transverse members 15 connecting the same. The members 14 are pivotally connected as at 16 to the upper ends of the members 1 and upon the outside thereof, so that when the ladder is folded the members 14 lie parallel with and against the outer faces of the members 1, and the members 1 resting against the transverse members 15 for a purpose hereinafter described. The upper ends of the members 14 are cut at an angle forming shoulders 17 which impinge against the underface of the overhanging ends 18 of the upper step 2. When the device is to be used as a bench, the back brace is folded against the ladder portion and the intermediate step portions before described, are swung outwardly forming the legs for the bench, the steps 2 and 3 limiting the outward movement of the members and the free ends 8 and 9 being out at an angle to fit against the shoulders 12 and 13, form a flat footing for the device. It should be noted that the members 15 are supported by the members 11, and the members 15 are formed broad and fiat to give an ample table surface.

The upper step 2 is provided with an extension 19 hingedly connected thereto as at 20, and a pair of jointed braces 21 are provided for holding the same in extended position. When the device is to be used as a wash-bench, the part 19 is folded down as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The device is also adapted to be used as a cot orbunk, the art 19 then constituting a head board.

1* aving described my invention what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

In a device of the class described, a ladder portion comprising a pair of side standards and a plurality of steps, the top and bottom steps being rigidly fixed to said standards, short auxiliary side members pivotally mounted upon the inner faces of said standards adjacent to said to and bottom steps, intermediate steps of sai ladder rigidly fixed between said auxiliary members and stops to limit the inward movement thereof, said top and bottom steps forming stops to limit the outward movement thereof, in combination with a back brace comprising a pair of standards pivotally connected to the upper ends of the first said standards and a plurality of transverse members connecting the same, said back brace constituting a bench when in one position and said auxiliary members forming the legs thereof, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES GOETTER.

Witnesses:

ANNA L. EKVALL, HOWARD S. AUSTIN. 

